Mark Carr CEO, Christian Brothers Automotive

ove your neighbor as yourself. We easily recognize that statement as part of the most important commandment given by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It also appears in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus; in fact, we find it expounded upon 10 times in seven different books of the Bible. It's important. What happens when people apply that concept as a model for the way they do business?

The mission statement behind any corporate entity has everything to do with the integrity and ethics of the people who ultimately provide their services and products to the customer. What happens if the intentional mission of a company is to serve God through service to people?

Mark Carr, President and CEO of one of the fastest growing franchises in the United States did just that. Christian Brothers Automotive, birthed in 1982, established itself from meager beginnings through a heart that was seeking after God.

The mission statement of this corporate forerunner in both the automotive repair and franchise industries is straightforward and aggressive in its application of biblical principle - and includes a Bible verse: "To glorify God by providing ethical and excellent automotive repair service for our customers, according to Colossians 3:17, ‘And whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.'"(www.cabc.com)

Forming a company based solely on biblical principles is a process, a journey reflecting the individual will and commitment of the visionary people behind it. Mark Carr is a man who embarked on a lifetime journey. At times that journey has called him to build, expand, and pursue a business legacy; more often it has called him to trust God.

Learning from failure

"I've learned more from failure than I've learned from success," Mark confesses. In what appeared to be failure, he discovered God speaking. In success, Mark discovered the truth of God's Word. The legacy behind one of the nation's leading franchises began with a young man uncertain of the future and ill-equipped to handle the pressures of financial turmoil.

As the oil and steel industries crashed in the early 1980's, cities of the United States tumbled into financial chaos. Living in one of those cities, the crash left Mark and his family in a desperate financial struggle.

"I was basically an order taker, and while I was relatively successful at that, I was incredibly bored," recalls Mark. "One day I knelt down on my knees next to my bed and said ‘God, I know you created me for something different than this. Please send me a business opportunity.'"

Sharing sprouts of success

Mark attended church the next day for a Christmas function. A member of his Bible study group approached him; he was an automobile mechanic and broached the subject of entering into business together.

"I remember saying, ‘God are you sure? I just asked you about this yesterday.'" says Mark. "I knew God was speaking. I borrowed money from family members and friends and took out a small business loan, and that's where it began."

Eventually, he bought out his first business partner and his father ran the business for about seven years. Then Mark returned to the company.

"Within 60 days after I stepped back into the business, it grew by 25 percent. It wasn't through my efforts, because I hadn't been there long enough to make a difference. It was just confirmation from God that I was in the right place," he states.

As the business flourished, Mark soon enjoyed living a more comfortable lifestyle. "About that time, God tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘Mark, I want you to start another one.' My first response was, ‘I don't think so.' I was satisfied with T-ball games, and I had more than enough work. Why would I want another business?"

Mark continues, "At the same time, a missionary I helped support in Guatemala returned from the mission field, and I knew that I was to help him establish a business for himself. That's how the second store came about."

Soon after, Mark was approached by another man in his church, who saw a successful business emerging and asked Mark to help him get started as well. Three locations quickly grew to six and then 16. During that period, Mark continued to dedicate 10 percent of the gross of his business to God. Due to the rapid expansion, however, the company still suffered from financial constraints.

Asking God for guidance

A venture capital deal that infused three million dollars into the newly formed franchise ended badly when the partners demanded a leveraged buyout with a two-week deadline in order for Mark to hold on to the business. During that time, Mark's life took some harrowing turns.

Again, God provided. As Mark found the solace he needed in the presence of God, God began to move in remarkable ways on Mark's behalf. Through an unlikely meeting with a businessman from Michigan whom Mark had never met and the brief introduction of another new business partner, the company embarked on a fresh direction with a vision to expand into several major metropolitan areas.

Christian Brothers Automotive now boasts 50 locations in seven states with an additional two locations scheduled to open in Spring of this year.

Mark Carr

What drives this rapid growth? Mark insists that it is simply the fact that, as a company, God is first. "I'm very proud in a humble sense that God has chosen me to do this and given me the gifts to make it work. Despite my faults and despite my sinful nature, he has guided me through thick and thin."

Journey of faith

Mark relates that his personal journey of faith took a profound turn when he accepted the fact that even doing all the right things was not enough. There was still a lingering misery that he could not shake. One day Mark explained his inner conflict in a conversation with his mother. "She said, ‘Mark maybe it's time to stop doing things your own way and start doing them God's way.' She was right. I got down on my knees and gave my life over to the Lord."

Mark remembers how the journey began and relates that it hasn't always been a perfect walk. "I was in Bible study, I learned all the rules but there was this unquenchable desire that I couldn't put my finger on. God was compelling me like an Uncle Sam poster compels a patriot. He was saying ‘Mark, I want you.' I was searching to fill that compelling desire to know him more, but if you don't know what love is; you don't know what love is. I could intellectualize God's love, but I didn't have it in my heart. When I finally came to the place where all I wanted was God, that's what changed my life. Now my daily walk with God is like a constant conversation. I am a man after God's own heart, even with all my imperfections."

When asked what advice he has for other people searching for the same kind of passionate relationship with God, Mark took a moment to take stock of the price he's paid. "If you're sensitive to God's tugging and obedient from the beginning, you won't go through the deep pounding that occurs when you do things your own way. I went through many poundings before I understood that God was trying to lead me. Now there's not a single one that I regret. God's grace and mercy became real to me through those experiences."

Mark says, "Often God speaks to a man through his wallet. When you're struggling financially and trying to figure out how to make life work, God is nudging. Listen and learn to follow."

Stewardship

"The greatest accomplishments for me personally come from being a good steward of what God has given me and being diligent in my giving," he reveals. "I just know this; God sees what's in my heart for him and for others. To be a cheerful giver and a good steward - these things are black and white in his Word. What's most important to me is that God knows what's in my heart when I do things, and no one can take that away from me. I can stand on his Word and I can claim his blessings, not because I'm worthy but because his promises are true."

Mark Carr lives an example of loving others by taking the time to call people by their name and by generously giving because the results make people feel good. His favorite thing to do is to make someone else's day. Love your neighbor as yourself - for him, it's not just the company motto but the way to live his life.